Would it be wrong..

thaiboxerken · 29th March 2007, 10:34 AM

to do an effect just to scare the crap out of the JW's and Mormons who knock on my door? I was thinking that Stigmata would be appropriate and might keep those 'tards from bothering me anymore.

Katana · 29th March 2007, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by thaiboxerken

to do an effect just to scare the crap out of the JW's and Mormons who knock on my door? I was thinking that Stigmata would be appropriate and might keep those 'tards from bothering me anymore.

I can't help it.

So bad yet so good.

Brown · 29th March 2007, 12:32 PM

Keep a TT with a small bag of phony blood next to your front door. It only takes a second to load, and then you can make the red stuff appear to come from anywhere. You can preface the gore with some sort of joking curse, such as, "If that's not true, I'm sure the Almighty will send us a sign."

If so inclined, see some of Joe Nickell's writings in Skeptical Inquirer for tips about how to make stigmata seem more shocking than it actually is. As Joe explains it, a little blood can go a long way.

The TT with phony blood, by the way, was a gimmick used by one of our buddies (his name rhymes with "brandi," and it ain't John Candy, Jessica Tandy, Jack Handey or Fred Grandy) on a certain late-night national television show. If it's good enough for him to gross out the entire USA, then it's probably good enough for you to scare the excrement out of some religious pests. Just be sure to hose off your front step after they run away.

thaiboxerken · 29th March 2007, 12:44 PM

I just figured having the number 666 appear on my forearm after they squeeze it would be good enough.

JonWhite · 29th March 2007, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by thaiboxerken

I just figured having the number 666 appear on my forearm after they squeeze it would be good enough.

Great idea!

Let us know how it goes (assuming they don't burn your house down - you're being The Antichrist and all!).

thaiboxerken · 29th March 2007, 02:54 PM

Hmm. Maybe I'll just force them to think of the number 7 and have that appear on my wrist instead. It'll freak them out, but I like my current habitat.

Brown · 29th March 2007, 02:57 PM

Originally Posted by thaiboxerken

I just figured having the number 666 appear on my forearm after they squeeze it would be good enough.

Oooooh, you can do this one impromptu, too. Just take a few seconds before you open the door completely, and you can prep to perform a gen-u-ine miracle!

Banachek sometimes does a variation of this effect in his act, in which a "thought of" number mysteriously appears on his forearm, right in front of the audience member.

Showing three sixes gradually appearing on the forearm would certainly have a frightening effect upon the religiously superstitious. With these folks, you don't need any devices to figure out what number they're thinking of; rather, you already know which number is going to give them the willies.

thaiboxerken · 29th March 2007, 03:00 PM

When I got Ellusionist's stigmata explanation, the introduction included an anecdote where the inventor of the effect had to convince many, many of a church (to whom he was going to do his show for) that he really wasn't channelling demons. I find it hilarious and cool. I do the effect for skeptic friends and they aren't quite as freaked out, for some reason.

JonWhite · 29th March 2007, 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by thaiboxerken

When I got Ellusionist's stigmata explanation, the introduction included an anecdote where the inventor of the effect had to convince many, many of a church (to whom he was going to do his show for) that he really wasn't channelling demons. I find it hilarious and cool. I do the effect for skeptic friends and they aren't quite as freaked out, for some reason.

Well, if you engage the brain it's pretty obvious to figure out really - so JW's etc. have no chance!

thaiboxerken · 29th March 2007, 03:07 PM

I couldn't figure it out from watching the demos of the effect, that's why I bought it. However, the video resolution was poor enough that I couldn't really see the numbers appear where the audience could. So, I had no idea what was really freaking them out. Oh well, I'm just starting into magic so the DVD was still very useful in showing me several different methods of forcing cards, numbers and gleaming information from folded paper.

Blue Monk · 29th March 2007, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by thaiboxerken

to do an effect just to scare the crap out of the JW's and Mormons who knock on my door? I was thinking that Stigmata would be appropriate and might keep those 'tards from bothering me anymore.

Are you kidding!?

If you do that you'll probably end up with about a thousand of them camped out on your lawn hoping to see the 'miracle'!

He's not the messiah, he's a very naughty boy!

thaiboxerken · 29th March 2007, 03:12 PM

Hmm. Maybe I'll just do an ambitious card routine instead.

JonWhite · 31st March 2007, 09:49 AM

Originally Posted by thaiboxerken

I couldn't figure it out from watching the demos of the effect, that's why I bought it.

Sorry, didn't mean to be smug. We used to "write" stuff on our arms in the stigmata way as kids, so kind of assumed it to be obvious. Audience reactions also prove otherwise - I showed the trick to a friend the other day who was completely stumped too.

An extra thought re. peeing off the JW's and mormons - how about a sleight with a small blood pouches and using (i.e.) theatrical scars so your palms could start bleeding as attention is initially drawn to the 666 appearing?

thaiboxerken · 31st March 2007, 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by JonWhite

An extra thought re. peeing off the JW's and mormons - how about a sleight with a small blood pouches and using (i.e.) theatrical scars so your palms could start bleeding as attention is initially drawn to the 666 appearing?

Already discussed. I figure that making a harmless number 7 appear would be a bit safer for me and my family and making a card rise to the top of the deck even safer than that. I just want to use my magic for the dark side, but I don't want the consequences.

firecoins · 31st March 2007, 09:24 PM

Originally Posted by thaiboxerken

to do an effect just to scare the crap out of the JW's and Mormons who knock on my door? I was thinking that Stigmata would be appropriate and might keep those 'tards from bothering me anymore.

Its fine. i think the best thing to do is open the door named.

29th March 2007, 10:34 AM	#1
thaiboxerken Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 13,315	Would it be wrong.. to do an effect just to scare the crap out of the JW's and Mormons who knock on my door? I was thinking that Stigmata would be appropriate and might keep those 'tards from bothering me anymore.
	__________________ All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power & profit - Thomas Paine

29th March 2007, 10:39 AM	#2
Katana Illuminator Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 4,894	Originally Posted by thaiboxerken to do an effect just to scare the crap out of the JW's and Mormons who knock on my door? I was thinking that Stigmata would be appropriate and might keep those 'tards from bothering me anymore. I can't help it. So bad yet so good.
Katana Illuminator Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 4,894	__________________ "I think Katana is as big of a perv as the rest of us." - Dragonrock "The rationality was there, and clear and concise. The condescention was hinted at and was like french onion dip on the perfect potato chip. Tasted like woo smackdown." - Fowlsound (aka Ducky, darnit) "Katana is one quick shut-yo-mouth!" - JonnyFive StopSylviaBrowne

29th March 2007, 12:32 PM	#3
Brown Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Twin Cities, Canada Posts: 9,117	Keep a TT with a small bag of phony blood next to your front door. It only takes a second to load, and then you can make the red stuff appear to come from anywhere. You can preface the gore with some sort of joking curse, such as, "If that's not true, I'm sure the Almighty will send us a sign." If so inclined, see some of Joe Nickell's writings in Skeptical Inquirer for tips about how to make stigmata seem more shocking than it actually is. As Joe explains it, a little blood can go a long way. The TT with phony blood, by the way, was a gimmick used by one of our buddies (his name rhymes with "brandi," and it ain't John Candy, Jessica Tandy, Jack Handey or Fred Grandy) on a certain late-night national television show. If it's good enough for him to gross out the entire USA, then it's probably good enough for you to scare the excrement out of some religious pests. Just be sure to hose off your front step after they run away.
	__________________ Klaatu: I'm impatient with stupidity. My people have learned to live without it. Mr. Harley: I'm afraid my people haven't. I am very sorry. I wish it were otherwise. -- The Day The Earth Stood Still, screenplay by Edmund H. North "Don't you get me wrong. I only want to know." -- Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, lyrics by Tim Rice

29th March 2007, 12:44 PM	#4
thaiboxerken Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 13,315	I just figured having the number 666 appear on my forearm after they squeeze it would be good enough.
	__________________ All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power & profit - Thomas Paine

29th March 2007, 02:39 PM	#5
JonWhite Muse Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: London Posts: 603	Originally Posted by thaiboxerken I just figured having the number 666 appear on my forearm after they squeeze it would be good enough. Great idea! Let us know how it goes (assuming they don't burn your house down - you're being The Antichrist and all!).
	__________________ "In cases where prior knowledge is available, the alternative to 'an open mind' is not 'a closed mind'. It is 'an informed mind'. In such contexts, any appeal to 'keep an open mind' is an appeal to prefer ignorance over knowledge" Ian Rowland

29th March 2007, 02:54 PM	#6
thaiboxerken Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 13,315	Hmm. Maybe I'll just force them to think of the number 7 and have that appear on my wrist instead. It'll freak them out, but I like my current habitat.
	__________________ All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power & profit - Thomas Paine

29th March 2007, 02:57 PM	#7
Brown Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Twin Cities, Canada Posts: 9,117	Originally Posted by thaiboxerken I just figured having the number 666 appear on my forearm after they squeeze it would be good enough. Oooooh, you can do this one impromptu, too. Just take a few seconds before you open the door completely, and you can prep to perform a gen-u-ine miracle! Banachek sometimes does a variation of this effect in his act, in which a "thought of" number mysteriously appears on his forearm, right in front of the audience member. Showing three sixes gradually appearing on the forearm would certainly have a frightening effect upon the religiously superstitious. With these folks, you don't need any devices to figure out what number they're thinking of; rather, you already know which number is going to give them the willies.
	__________________ Klaatu: I'm impatient with stupidity. My people have learned to live without it. Mr. Harley: I'm afraid my people haven't. I am very sorry. I wish it were otherwise. -- The Day The Earth Stood Still, screenplay by Edmund H. North "Don't you get me wrong. I only want to know." -- Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, lyrics by Tim Rice

29th March 2007, 03:00 PM	#8
thaiboxerken Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 13,315	When I got Ellusionist's stigmata explanation, the introduction included an anecdote where the inventor of the effect had to convince many, many of a church (to whom he was going to do his show for) that he really wasn't channelling demons. I find it hilarious and cool. I do the effect for skeptic friends and they aren't quite as freaked out, for some reason.
	__________________ All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power & profit - Thomas Paine

29th March 2007, 03:04 PM	#9
JonWhite Muse Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: London Posts: 603	Originally Posted by thaiboxerken When I got Ellusionist's stigmata explanation, the introduction included an anecdote where the inventor of the effect had to convince many, many of a church (to whom he was going to do his show for) that he really wasn't channelling demons. I find it hilarious and cool. I do the effect for skeptic friends and they aren't quite as freaked out, for some reason. Well, if you engage the brain it's pretty obvious to figure out really - so JW's etc. have no chance!
	__________________ "In cases where prior knowledge is available, the alternative to 'an open mind' is not 'a closed mind'. It is 'an informed mind'. In such contexts, any appeal to 'keep an open mind' is an appeal to prefer ignorance over knowledge" Ian Rowland

29th March 2007, 03:07 PM	#10
thaiboxerken Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 13,315	I couldn't figure it out from watching the demos of the effect, that's why I bought it. However, the video resolution was poor enough that I couldn't really see the numbers appear where the audience could. So, I had no idea what was really freaking them out. Oh well, I'm just starting into magic so the DVD was still very useful in showing me several different methods of forcing cards, numbers and gleaming information from folded paper.
	__________________ All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power & profit - Thomas Paine

29th March 2007, 03:09 PM	#11
Blue Monk Graduate Poster Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 1,760	Originally Posted by thaiboxerken to do an effect just to scare the crap out of the JW's and Mormons who knock on my door? I was thinking that Stigmata would be appropriate and might keep those 'tards from bothering me anymore. Are you kidding!? If you do that you'll probably end up with about a thousand of them camped out on your lawn hoping to see the 'miracle'! He's not the messiah, he's a very naughty boy!
	__________________ Veni, Vidi, Velcro I came, I saw, I stuck around

29th March 2007, 03:12 PM	#12
thaiboxerken Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 13,315	Hmm. Maybe I'll just do an ambitious card routine instead.
	__________________ All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power & profit - Thomas Paine

31st March 2007, 09:49 AM	#13
JonWhite Muse Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: London Posts: 603	Originally Posted by thaiboxerken I couldn't figure it out from watching the demos of the effect, that's why I bought it. Sorry, didn't mean to be smug. We used to "write" stuff on our arms in the stigmata way as kids, so kind of assumed it to be obvious. Audience reactions also prove otherwise - I showed the trick to a friend the other day who was completely stumped too. An extra thought re. peeing off the JW's and mormons - how about a sleight with a small blood pouches and using (i.e.) theatrical scars so your palms could start bleeding as attention is initially drawn to the 666 appearing?
	__________________ "In cases where prior knowledge is available, the alternative to 'an open mind' is not 'a closed mind'. It is 'an informed mind'. In such contexts, any appeal to 'keep an open mind' is an appeal to prefer ignorance over knowledge" Ian Rowland

31st March 2007, 03:58 PM	#14
thaiboxerken Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 13,315	Originally Posted by JonWhite An extra thought re. peeing off the JW's and mormons - how about a sleight with a small blood pouches and using (i.e.) theatrical scars so your palms could start bleeding as attention is initially drawn to the 666 appearing? Already discussed. I figure that making a harmless number 7 appear would be a bit safer for me and my family and making a card rise to the top of the deck even safer than that. I just want to use my magic for the dark side, but I don't want the consequences.
	__________________ All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power & profit - Thomas Paine

31st March 2007, 09:24 PM	#15
firecoins Illuminator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Nyack, NY Posts: 3,065	Originally Posted by thaiboxerken to do an effect just to scare the crap out of the JW's and Mormons who knock on my door? I was thinking that Stigmata would be appropriate and might keep those 'tards from bothering me anymore. Its fine. i think the best thing to do is open the door named.
	__________________ NY Paramedic, skeptic, 9/11/01 Reality-ist. I am both right wing nut and left wing lunatic. Deal with it.